Comprehensive Care for Older Adults at Mace Avenue Medical
Geriatric Care in the Bronx
As we age, our health needs become more complex — and the right medical team becomes more important than ever. At Mace Avenue Medical, we have always cared for patients across the full lifespan, including the older adults who are often our most loyal and long-standing patients.
Our East Bronx practice is particularly well-suited for geriatric care. Dr. Robert D. Pintauro, M.D. maintains active roles at multiple Bronx nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and our entire team understands the unique clinical, social, and emotional dimensions of caring for older adults.
What Is Geriatric Care?
Geriatric care (also called geriatric medicine) focuses on the health and wellbeing of older adults — typically those 65 and older, though the principles apply to anyone experiencing the health complexities of aging. Geriatric care addresses not just individual diseases but the interplay between multiple conditions, medications, functional capacity, cognition, and quality of life.
Geriatric Care Services at Mace Avenue Medical
Comprehensive Medical Management for Older Adults
We manage all aspects of an older adult’s primary care, with particular attention to:
- Multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity)
- Coordinating care across multiple providers (cardiologist, endocrinologist, neurologist, etc.)
- Monitoring for disease progression and treatment complications
Polypharmacy Review
Older adults are often prescribed multiple medications by multiple providers. The interaction and cumulative effect of these medications can cause significant problems — falls, confusion, kidney impairment, and others. We conduct regular medication reviews to:
- Identify and eliminate unnecessary medications
- Check for harmful drug-drug interactions
- Reduce medications that pose particular risks in older adults (the Beers criteria list)
- Simplify medication regimens to improve adherence
Fall Prevention
Falls are the leading cause of injury in adults 65 and older. A single serious fall can dramatically alter an older adult’s independence and trajectory. Our fall prevention approach includes:
- Identifying fall risk factors (muscle weakness, balance issues, vision problems, medication side effects)
- Balance and gait assessment
- Medication adjustments to reduce fall risk
- Referrals to physical therapy for strength and balance training
- Home safety counseling
Memory and Cognitive Health
Cognitive decline and dementia are among the most feared aspects of aging. We screen for cognitive changes using validated tools and:
- Discuss early warning signs of dementia with patients and families
- Order appropriate memory testing and neurological workup
- Refer to neurologists or geriatric psychiatrists when appropriate
- Coordinate with families and caregivers on care planning
Coordination of Care
Many older adults receive care from multiple specialists, community health programs, and sometimes nursing or home health aides. Mace Avenue Medical serves as the hub of your care coordination — communicating with specialists, reviewing test results, and ensuring that all members of your care team are working from the same information.
Nursing Home and Long-Term Care
When hospitalization or skilled nursing facility care becomes necessary, Dr. Pintauro’s affiliations with multiple Bronx nursing homes allow for seamless transitions. He provides ongoing medical care to patients at:
- Kings Harbor Care Center
- Bayberry Care Center
- Beth Abraham Center
- Regeis Care Center
- Gold Crest Care Center - Morris Park Nursing Home
This ensures that the relationship you have built with Mace Avenue Medical does not have to end when you need a higher level of care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a primary care doctor and a geriatrician?
A geriatrician is a physician with specialized fellowship training in geriatric medicine. A primary care physician with experience caring for older adults — like the team at Mace Avenue Medical — can manage the great majority of geriatric health needs. For complex cases involving advanced dementia, frailty syndromes, or other specialized geriatric issues, we refer to geriatric specialists.
How do I know if my elderly parent needs a medication review?
Signs that a medication review is needed include: confusion or memory changes after starting a new medication, frequent falls, balance problems, unusual fatigue, or taking more than 5 medications simultaneously. Call Mace Avenue Medical at (718) 652-4647 to schedule a medication review appointment.
Does Mace Avenue Medical see patients in nursing homes?
Yes. Dr. Robert D. Pintauro maintains active roles at multiple Bronx nursing facilities and provides ongoing medical care to patients in these settings. If your loved one is a Mace Avenue Medical patient, we work to maintain care continuity during nursing home stays.
What are the early signs of dementia?
Early signs of dementia include: memory loss that disrupts daily life (especially forgetting recently learned information), difficulty solving problems or planning, confusion with time or place, trouble with words or conversation, and changes in mood or personality. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, contact us for an evaluation.
How often should a senior citizen see their doctor?
Most older adults benefit from at least twice-yearly primary care visits, and many with complex chronic conditions should be seen more frequently. Your provider at Mace Avenue Medical will recommend the appropriate schedule for your individual health situation.
